Oxford University Society: Spectacular Japan Tour,
Spring 2011

Monday March 28th

Departure for Japan

We meet at 16:00 at Japan Airlines (JAL) counter, Heathrow Terminal 3 Departures, before assisting you with check-in. Our flight is non-stop departing 19:15 with a flight time of approximately 12 hours

Wednesday March 30th

Kyoto:
Gion
Kiyomizu Temple
Stay at Kyoto Hotel

On our first morning in Kyoto, we visit Gion with its traditional wooden buildings, cobbled streets and geiko (the Kyoto word for geisha). You may be lucky enough to see and photograph them in formal kimono on their way to perform their classical entertainment. From Gion, a short walk takes us to Maruyama Park and its complex of temples in the foothills of the mountains to the east. This is a good opportunity to take part in some temple traditions like throwing a coin and ringing the bell at the temple entrance. The gods will welcome you inside - as long as you remove your shoes!

We stroll from temple to shrine, pause for lunch, then head uphill gradually to another Kyoto icon - Kiyomizu. The main temple, from which there are spectacular views over the city, rests against the hill slope supported by 20 metre high wooden stilts. You can try the 'love walk' - finding a path from one ancient boulder to another with eyes closed. Superstition states that if you make it, you will be lucky in love but, if you don't, there are always plenty of good luck charms to buy instead! As the day comes to an end, we walk or take a taxi through this charming area back to the hotel.

Friday April 1st

Golden Pavilion

Miyako Odori
Stay in Kyoto Hotel

We start the day in northwest Kyoto at the world famous Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji temples. Some of these temples are the headquarters of differing sects of Buddhism to which many religious Japanese make personal pilgrimages. Glittering Kinkaku-ji is a restored three storey structure overlaid with gold leaf. The world-famous stone garden of Ryoan-ji, consisting of fifteen stones of different sizes set in white gravel, is classic Zen philosophy. The simplicity of such rock gardens is intended to inspire the imagination. From there we will head to Nijo Castle. Completed by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603 it is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The architecture was ostentatious for its day - designed to demonstrate the shogun's growing power in contrast to the emperor's dwindling influence. A fascinating feature is the nightingale floor which still sounds to detect intruders. The adjoining garden, featuring islands in a lake, is attributed to the famous landscape architect Kobori Enshu, and said to be typical of the ornate designs of the Edo period.

In the afternoon we enjoy a performance of 'Miyako Odori'. Since 1872, when the Emperor moved his capital to Tokyo, this special celebration of spring in Kyoto has helped maintain the city's pride in its traditions and unique culture. Performed by twenty maiko and geiko (the correct term for geisha in Kyoto) on a set adorned with cherry blossom, the eight dances are characterised by the elegant movement of the artistes giving the illusion of floating across the stage. After the performance, you will have some free time to rest or explore the town centre.

Sunday April 3rd

Miyajima
Stay at Hiroshima Hotel

We reach Miyajima island by ferry from Hiroshima. The spectacular shrine on the shoreline with its red torii gate deserves a full day whether at high tide or low. At high tide the inland sea swells around the shrine stilts and the torii appears to float magically on the waves. At low tide you can stroll across the sand to the huge gate. The town has many fascinating shops and is populated by friendly, photogenic deer eagerly awaiting you to feed them. The forested peak of Mount Misen rises 535 metres behind Miyajima's striking torii gate and makes for a short, if strenuous, climb. There is the option of using the cable car if you are not feeling so energetic!

Tuesday April 5th

Hakone
Tokyo
Stay at Tokyo Hotel

Today we'll be taking the traditional route around the Hakone area, which officially starts in Hakone-Yumoto, and from where the narrow-gauge Hakone-Tozan train switchbacks up forested hills to the resort town of Gora. The cable car then whisks us over the treetops to the Great Boiling Valley, where, if the weather's clear, there are unparalleled views of Mount Fuji's conical peak. The Boiling Valley itself is fascinating, and we'll have a while to explore the geothermic area on foot. The black-shelled onsen-cooked eggs, reputedly give long life, and make a tasty snack. Then it's on by cable car again to Lake Ashi, where we will board the charmingly kitsch 'pirate ship' which takes us across the lake to Hakone-machi. Later, we'll head on to Tokyo, our final destination.

Thursday April 7th

Tokyo

In the morning we are planning a rare chance to see a samurai swordsmith in his workshop and learn of the art and etiquette of this incredible, uniquely Japanese, weapon. Due to the private nature of this visit the above schedule may need to be modified accordingly. We then take the train to Harajuku to visit Meiji Shrine, hidden away in the forests by Yoyogi Park and dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. The park was one of the main locations for the 1964 Olympics and is now a peaceful oasis. We walk the Omotesando area, a stunning centre of Japan's youth fashion. In the afternoon you are free to enjoy Tokyo at your leisure. Alternatively we would be delighted to take you to the famous Shibuya crossing and other areas of interest in central Tokyo.